WELSH PREMIER TIMES

2013-14 Issue 4/Rhif 4

23/07/13

Prestatyn and Saints face daunting tasks

A hat-trick by Benko and singles from Zlomislic and Jugovic gave HNK Rijeka a 5-0 win in Thursdays Europa League tie in Croatia. But although, barring a miracle, the Seasiders' European adventure is all but over, they did themselves proud and can leave eastern Europe with their heads held high knowing they have carried the Welsh Premier League flag furthest in this year's competition. But overall the score is immaterial as Neil Gibson's men wrote another chapter in their remarkable recent history and gave the whole town - and indeed the whole of Wales - a reason to be proud of their efforts. Despite the result chairman Phil Merrick was full of praise for both the team and the way the club had been treated in Croatia. "I am immensely proud of the players for their efforts tonight and of the loyal supporters who made the trip at such short notice. I would also thank our opponents, their president and management for the superb way they have looked after us and I don't think there is any disgrace in going down to a team of such obvious strength and quality.. The New Saints FC must climb a mountain to reach the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after succumbing 3-1 at home against Legia Warszawa. The home side led at half-time through a Ryan Fraughan goal, but the Polish champions proved too strong and hit back three times after the break to take command of the tie.

This Weeks Matches

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Second Qualifying Round
LEGIA WARSZAWA v THE NEW SAINTS

Wednesday 24th July At the Stadion Wojska Polskiego Warszawa 19:45

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Second Qualifying Round

PRESTATYN TOWN V HNK RJIEKA

Thursday 25th July At the Belle Vue Stadium, Rhyl Kick-off 19:00
Cylchgrawn Swyddogol Uwchgynghrair Corbett Sports Cymru

Official Newsletter of the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League

CLUB NEWS ABERYSTWYTH TOWN

ww.atfc.org.uk

With the kick off for pre-season friendlies less than five days away, Town Manager Ian Hughes has expressed his delight with the primarily local nature of this season's First Team Squad. Hughes said: 'It's important to have finally secured the services of the local players, who I know will play a key role for the club next season. Some have come through our excellent Academy and I expect more players to develop through this system and into the first team in the coming seasons. Local players ensure local passion and I hope the supporters appreciate this and get fully behind the team, with pre-season games starting next week. I am also pleased to have added other quality players from further afield to supplement and support what we have locally.' To date twelve players have signed for the First Team, and seven of them live in or around Aberystwyth (Stuart Jones, Antonio Corbisiero, Cledan Davies, Rhydian Davies, Geoff Kellaway, Bari Morgan and Sion James). Add to these Wyn Thomas from Llandysul who is a product of Aber Town's Youth Team, and Chris Venables, who is based only 30 miles away in Llanidloes, and the local connection is even stronger. Talented midfielders Declan Carroll and Craig Williams, and keeper Mike Lewis are the only players signed so far who will face significant travelling for home games in 2013/4, and given the arduous nature of a National League, their contributions will also be greatly appreciated by home supporters.

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES

Saturday Saturday Saturday Thursday Saturday Saturday 20th July 27th July 3rd August 8th August 10th August 17th August Barmouth & Dyffryn Utd Caersws FC Haverfordwest County Bow Street CPD Porthmadog Goytre United A A H A A H 4-3 ko ko ko ko ko 14:30 14:30 19:00 14:30 14:30

AFAN LIDO FC
AFAN Lido Football Club have completed the signing of one of the Welsh Leagues brightest prospects. Jamal Roberts completes his move to the Welsh Premier outfit from Division One high-flyers Taffs Well. The winger is the latest addition to the Lido squad, as the club looks to improve upon its disappointing bottomplaced position last term. Manager Paul Evans said: Taffs Well didnt want to let Jamal go. They were keen to keep hold of him so were happy that hes decided to join. He wanted to have a crack at Welsh Premier League football and hopefully hell take that opportunity with us this season. Jamal Roberts notched up 11 league goals for Taffs Well last season, and is looking forward to his next challenge in Lido colours. He commented: Im looking forward to stepping up to the Welsh Premier. Hopefully I can play my part in helping Lido and my new team-mates to a successful season. The Seasiders have also been buoyed by the news that long-serving defender Kristian James has pledged his future to the club for another term. James has been a regular fixture in the squad for the past four seasons, and has committed to another season at the Marstons Stadium. Lidos transfer spree has continued this week with the addition of three club legends to the fray. Manager Paul Evans has added three veterans to his new-look squad as he seeks to bolster his team going into the new season. First to rejoin the club is goalkeeper Brian Thomas. The former Hereford United shotstopper was the clubs number one keeper for more than ten seasons before hanging up his boots. Evans has persuaded his former team-mate to step out of retirement to help the club rebuild, and will also be utilising Thomas as his goalkeeping coach. Second to be added to the squad is winger Greg Hurley. Hurley played for Lido in Europe and also appeared in the 2007 Welsh Cup Final. The versatile veteran will be joining the coaching staff but also registering as a player. Finally, Evans has called on the experience of former club captain Shaun OLeary. The cultured midfielder again spent more than ten seasons with the Seasiders, and returns to assist his former midfield compatriot both in a playing and coaching capacity.

Evans commented: These are all club legends. Itll be a massive boost to everyone at Afan Lido to see Brian, Greg and Shaun back involved. Their experience on the training pitch will be invaluable to me in my first season as manager, and I intend to use them in matches as well. They are all Lido boys who have grown up playing for the club so to have them back is a big plus for us.

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES

Saturday Thursday Saturday Saturday 13th July 25th July 27th July 10th Aug Abertillery Bluebirds Pontardawe Town Ton Pentre Bridgwater Town 0-4 A A H

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON

www.airbusfc.com

DIRECTOR of football Andy Preece is delighted to have captured the signature of striker Chris Simm, who was the leading scorer at Bangor City last season. The 29-year-old hit 21 league goals from 30 appearances in his debut domestic league season, second only to Michael Wilde of TNS in the race for the league's Golden Boot award. Simm's goals included a hat-trick in a 3-2 win at Airbus back in September and another in a 2-0 home win for City in November. And he was again the scourge of Andy Preece's men when he scored the only goal which knocked the Wingmakers out of the Welsh Cup at the quarter final stage in March. "Chris is someone who I tried to sign when he was at Leigh RMI and I was manager at Worcester City and I have watched him score regularly ever since and been on the receiving end a few times," says Airbus UK director of football Andy Preece. "It's a case of better late than never and at an age where he is still at his peak and scoring goals for fun. The second top scorer in the league last year he is a major signing for us and alongside Steve Jones and our attacking players from last year we are going to have a potent strike force whichever combinations play. I'm really excited about the squad we've put together." Simm started his career as a trainee at Wrexham but came to prominence as a prolific striker with Leigh RMI and Hyde, for whom he scored 39 goals in two seasons including a six-minute hat trick on his home debut. He then switched to Southport for whom he scored 19 goals and also had a loan spell with Chorley prior to joining Chester in January 2011. Despite ending the season as joint top scorer with 15 goals, including a hat-trick in Chester's last game of the season against Marine, he was released by manager Neil Young and signed for the Citizens..

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES

Saturday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Saturday Tuesday Friday 29th June 29th June 16th July 20th July 23rd July 27th July 10th August 13th August 16th August Crusaders FC Buckley Town AFC Fylde Wrexham Mossley Nantwich Town Ramsbottom United Cefn Druids Gap Connahs Quay A A H H A H A A H P-P 5-0 2-2 1-0 ko ko ko ko ko

15:00 15:00 15:00 19:30 19:45 Flintshire Cup

BALA TOWN
PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Tuesday Saturday Wednesday Friday Tuesday Friday Saturday 25th June 20th July 24th July 26th July 30th July 2nd August 10th August The New Saints CPD Porthmadog Ruthin Town Marine Vauxhall Motors Blackburn Rovers Bamber Bridge A A A A A H H 1-3 P-P ko ko ko ko ko 18:15 19:30 19:30 19:30 14:30

www.balatownfc.co.uk

BANGOR CITY
PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Saturday Wednesday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Tuesday 13th July 17th July 20th July 23rd July 3rd August 6th August 10th August 13th August Buckley Town Caernarfon Town Lancaster City Gwalchmai Burscough Conwy Borough AFC Telford Caernarfon Town A H H H H H A A 4-1 3-1 1-1 ko ko ko ko ko

www.bangorcityfc.com

19:00 14:00 19:30 15:00 19:30

CARMARTHEN TOWN
PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Saturday Saturday Wednesday Saturday Saturday Saturday Sunday 20th July 20th July 24th July 3rd August 10th August 17th August 18th August Pontardawe Town Taffs Well Merlins Bridge Bath City Ton Pentre Midleton FC (IRL) Cobh Ramblers (IRL) A A A A A A A 4-2 4-0 ko ko ko ko ko

www.carmarthentownafc.com

TBA 15:00 14:30 TBA 19:45

GAP CONNAHS QUAY

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Saturday Tuesday Saturday Friday Saturday Tuesday Friday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Saturday 13th July 16th July 20th July 26th July 27th July 30th July 2nd August 3rd August 6th August 10th August 13th August Conwy Borough Runcorn Town Flint Town United Pontefract Collieries Goole FC Wrexham FC Buckley Town Corwen FC Cardiff City Nantwich Town Conwy Borough A A A A A H A A H H A 0-0 P-P 2-3 ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko

www.the-nomads.co.uk

19:30 15:00 19:15 19:30 14:30 19:30 14:30 14:30

NEWTOWN AFC

www.newtownafc.co.uk

After persistent pursuing from Bernie McNally, he finally nailed his man last night in the form of Haughmond striker Nathan Hodge. Hodge has been on McNally's radar for many years during the managers time at AFC Telford United and Hednesford Town. And after an attempt to capture the signing of Hodge earlier in the summer, McNally finally got his man and spoke of his delight last night. "Nathan is a terrific signing for us. He's a quality player, and I want to get him and Jeff White together this season. We could cause a few surprises to teams this season," said the Newtown manager. McNally was speaking after yesterdays 2-0 defeat at Wellington Amateurs a game in which Hodge played, and McNally was full of praise for the forwards performance. "He was terrific yesterday, looked very good, and its going to be exciting to see him playing now." Hodge joins the Robins from Haughmond, where he had a terrific goal haul last season. He also turned out for Ludlow Town, who his brother Dale, as they claimed the Mercian Regional League title.

And the striker hasn't come without interest with Market Drayton Town and Telford United interested in him. After making his debut yesterday, he is in line to play again next week away at Shawbury United. Newtown took a very youthful side to Wellington Amateurs on Saturday for their first friendly of the new season. And despite going down 2-0 to Wellington Amateurs there were a lot of positives taken out of the game by manager Bernie McNally. "Considering the young side we had, we were terrific. We went in 1-0 down at the break, but stuck to our guns and kept going," said McNally. McNally paid compliments to two of the youth players. "Richard Davies was great in central midfield and had a really good game and Michael O'Reilly got a good 90 minutes under his belt at left back." McNally added, "But today is not about the result, its about building back up for the season." McNally handed debuts to Mike Platt in goal, Tom Goodwin in mid-field and Nathan Hodge up front, with trialist Jamie Breese also featuring. Absent through injury yesterday were Craig Williams, Matty Cook and new signing, Jeff White. Zack Evans is on holiday and Andy Jones & Max Penk had work commitments. All the Management team were in impressed with the debut of new signing, Nathan Hodge who has been a target for Manager, McNally for some time. Nathan comes to the Robins from Haughmond (Shrewsbury) who compete in the West Midlands League. Previously with AFC Ludlow, he transferred to Haughmond midway through last season and was named as the Manager's Player of the Season. The squad featured several youth players - Richard Davies and Mike O'Reilly getting full games, whilst there were half hour spells for Harley Thomas, Joe Evans and Luke Evans. PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Saturday Saturday Saturday Tuesday Saturday 20th July 27th July 3rd August 6th August 10th August Wellington Amateurs Shawbury United Guilsfield Shrewsbury Town XI Hednesford Town A A A H H 0-2 ko ko ko ko 14:30 14.30 19:30 14:30

PORT TALBOT TOWN

www.porttalbottown.co.uk

PORT TALBOT TOWN are delighted to announce the signing of striker Rhys Griffiths. The 33-year-old marksman has put pen to paper for a third-spell at the GenQuip stadium after recently leaving Newport County. Griffiths, one of the most respected players in the history of the Welsh Premier League, returns to Port Talbot Town after originally returning to the club from Llanelli a year ago. His high-profile return to the club was cut short when the seven-time golden boot winner was offered professional terms at Plymouth Argyle shortly after joining. Manager Scott Young believes Griffiths will be out to impress upon his return to the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League. Im delighted to have a player of Rhys calibre in my squad, said manager Scott Young. Rhys was given a great opportunity to play in the Football League after joining us last summer and we couldnt stand in his way. The Chairman and board of directors acted very reasonably last time around and Im sure Rhys will be returning with all guns blazing, he added. Rhys is a great professional and a proven player in the Welsh Premier League but it was important that we were able to bring him to the club within our strict budget. Griffiths will now join up with the squad for pre-season and will wear the #26 shirt. Griffiths has spoken to the clubs official website to discuss his return to Port Talbot and his hopes for the new season. He was officially confirmed as a Port Talbot Town player for a third time on Tuesday amid speculation of a return to the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League following his exit from Newport County.

Port Talbot were always the club I wanted to go back to. There were reasons to go to other clubs as well, but I think the way I left [left summer] was unavoidable but difficult for everyone at Port Talbot, he explained. I went to the game against Cambrian just to show my face and shake a few hands and within five minutes I realised it was the right place to be as I knew so many of the boys. Griffiths revealed that there were several offers on the table from the Conference and Welsh Premier before opting to return to the GenQuip Stadium. There were quite a few [offers from other clubs]. Its nice to feel that Im still wanted but I narrowed it down to two in the end and I felt [joining Port Talbot] would be the right thing to do. With hindsight, [last year] I wouldnt have signed for Port Talbot four weeks prior to leaving and I wouldve saved people of a lot of messing around, myself included in some respects. I just felt that the right thing to do would be to come back to Port Talbot, as long as theyd have me. Ultimately I have an affiliation with Port Talbot, who along with Llanelli, are close to me, he added. Griffiths, who became a cult-hero amongst the clubs supporters after winning his first of seven golden boot awards during the 2005/06, is banking on strong home support this season to help the side go one step further and challenge for its first piece of major silverware. In an ideal world, Id love to win a Welsh Cup and get into Europe. I just asked they keep getting behind us. I know the fan base is growing so lets keep it growing and lets make the Sand Siro a bit of a fortress and I dont see any reason why we cant be near the top at the end of the season, he said. I hope they understand what happened last year and as Ive said, I wished I hadnt signed for four weeks as it would have saved a lot of pain. Im just looking forward to the season, I want to kick on, and work well with the other players. People will expect me to score and I expect myself to score and its all about Europe. Talks have taken place between Aberavon RFC and Port Talbot Town FC over moving to a new shared stadium. Officials from the two clubs have held several meetings together with council chiefs over the issue. The Welsh Premier League club have been in negotiations with Aberavon RFC about the potential construction of a dual-purpose ground funded by Neath Port Talbot Council. Like the Liberty Stadium, which houses Swansea City and the Ospreys, the arena would be built and run by the council and its chosen contractors. That would appear to be a sticking point for Port Talbot, who would stand to make more money from the redevelopment of their own GenQuip Stadium. "We've got two options at the moment," said Andrew Edwards, Port Talbot's chairman. "One is where we can put a 3G pitch in at the GenQuip Stadium through the FAW, who are looking to re-lay 3G pitches around Wales. We've expressed an interest and presented a business plan for that. "Option two is the possibility of us going to a brand-new purpose- built stadium, ground-sharing with Aberavon. There's still a lot of water to go under the bridge and a lot of hurdles to overcome, but it is also a strong possibility. We've been to several meetings with the authority and the rugby club." While a potential shared stadium would be owned and maintained by the council, re-laying the GenQuip Stadium pitch would be for the sole benefit of Port Talbot. "It is an advantageous option for us because we will have an income stream from having the 3G pitch at our own stadium," Mr Edwards added. "We're a bit uncertain whether we would or would not have an income stream if we moved to a new stadium. Discussions are still ongoing, but no firm decision has been taken." Aberavon chief executive Andrew John said: "It doesn't look like it's going to come to anything. If Port Talbot put a 3G pitch in their own stadium, the issue will be dead in the water. Talks have taken place but it's not an option at the moment." PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Saturday Wednesday Saturday Saturday 27th July 31st July 3rd August 10th August Briton Ferry Llansawel Cardiff City Biggleswade Town Merthyr Town A H A H ko ko ko ko 15:00 19:30 15:00 15:00

PRESTATYN TOWN
PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Saturday 21st June 28th June 20th July 3rd August 17th August Amlwch Town Flint Town United 1874 Northwich Vauxhall Motors Manchester City XI H H H A H 11-0 ko 19:30 ko 14:30 ko 15:00 ko 14:00

www.ptfconline.co.uk

Rhyl FC

www.rhylfc.co.uk

Rhyl Football Club is proud to announce a new partnership with Thai-based sporting goods company FBT, who will supply all the Lilywhites' bespoke first team kits and training and leisure wear. Managing director Mike Jones said: "We are delighted to have FBT involved at the club and we intend to strengthen our relationship with the FBT family. "FBT has a deserved reputation in Asia as the leading sports brand and we aim to support and promote the brand in the UK and Europe. This is a very important step forward in the evolution of Rhyl Football Club." The deal, which sees the sporting goods giant supply the first team with all kit and training wear free of charge, also gives the football club license to sell the brand in partnership with FBT Europe Ltd. Mike Hegarty, director of FBT Europe, explained the company's objectives. "Our plans over the next three years involve recruiting at least 20 semi-pro and pro clubs to fly the FBT banner. However successful we are in this and in supplying the junior clubs at grass roots level, by definition Rhyl FC will now be our first and therefore our most precious friend. "Our agreement with Rhyl came very late and as such our delivery of this year's product has not been ideal. We have always been on catch up it seems. We have, however, still managed to provide the club with a bespoke kit which we feel better suits the club, rather than have one off the shelf from a local supplier." Mike Hegartty was invited to meet with FBT in Thailand just over a year ago by Sir David Richards, the then chair of the English Premier League. "We were delighted to have been invited, subsequently, to help develop a joint business with them to bring their brand to the UK." FBT make 550,000 garments a month at their own factory, where managers get around using golf carts. It employs 2,800 staff and has an annual turnover of $480m. Sir Rodney Walker, chair of FBT Europe is absolutely delighted to bring the prestige brand to the UK. "Almost before we have started," he said. "We shall remember Rhyl FC in the future for the trust they have put in us. "We are very much aware of Rhyl's recent history and wish them well in their return to the Welsh Premier League. "Hopefully soon they will be back representing their country in competitions and we look forward to perhaps being a part of that."
Director Mike Hegarty spoke of how impressed they have been with the FBT range and explained how, with a new 10,000 sq ft warehouse in South Yorkshire which they plan to double in the next 12 months, the company is targeting 10m of business within three years. "FBT started with the founder sewing footballs part time in 1952 on the streets of Bangkok," said Mr Hegarty. "Sir Rodney Walker and the team are very excited at the opportunity to bring this brand to the UK. "We thank Rhyl FC for your support in this as an innovative community club. We really do look forward to growing with you." The new training kit is pictured above being handed over to manager Greg Strong by managing director Mike Jones and below one the adverts for the training gear..

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES

Friday Saturday Wednesday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Tuesday 12th July 13th July 17th July 20th July 23rd July 27th July 30th July 10th August 13th August Tranmere Rovers Hyde FC Bolton Wanderers Marine Cammell Laird Prescot Cables CPD Porthmadog Manchester City XI Burnley XI H H H H H H H H H 0-5 0-5 ko 1-3 ko ko ko ko ko 19:45 19:30 15:00 19:45 15:00 19:30

THE NEW SAINTS FC

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES
Saturday Tuesday Saturday Saturday Monday 22nd June 25th June 29th June 6th July 8th July British Universities Bala Town Conwy Borough Cliftonville Market Drayton H H H A A 0-1 3-1 5-1 1-0 2-5

www.tnsfc.co.uk

SCORECARD
UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round
The New Saints FC Legia Warszawa 1 3

17/07/13

Ryan Fraughan 11' Micha Kucharczyk 47' Marek Saganowski 57' Jakub Kosecki 74'
Legia Warszawa Duan Kuciak, Dosa Jnior, Marek Saganowski, Vladimir Dvalishvili, Jakub Wawrzyniak, Bartosz Bereszyski, Jakub Kosecki (Micha yro 80'), Ivica Vrdoljak, Hlio Pinto (Dominik Furman 46'), Jakub Rzeniczak, Miroslav Radovi (Micha Kucharczyk 46') Subs not used: Wojciech Skaba (GK), Janusz Gol, Tomasz Brzyski, Mateusz Cichocki Red Cards: None Yellow Cards: Dvalishvili 71' yro 90'+3 Thorvaldur rnason (ISL)

The New Saints FC Paul Harrison, Simon Spender, Chris Marriott, Phil Baker, Kai Edwards, Ryan Fraughan (Sam Finley 64'), Christian Seargeant, Jamie Mullan, Michael Wilde, Alex Darlington (Matthew Williams 80'), Aeron Edwards Subs not used: Chris Mullock (GK), Scott Ruscoe, Greg Draper, Connell Rawlinson, Scott Quigley Red Cards: Yellow Cards: Attendance: None Wilde 17' Baker 54' 2915 Referee:

Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round

HNK Rijeka Prestatyn Town 5 0

1st Leg

18/07/2013

Leon Benko 19' 23' 59' Vedran Jugovi 67' Damir Zlomisli 85' Prestatyn Town David Roberts (Jonathan Hill-Dunt 87'), Chris Davies, David Hayes, Sean Hessey, Michael Parker, Neil Gibson, Andy Parkinson, Ross Stephens, Rhys Owen (Tom Kemp 69'), Greg Stones, Tommy Holmes Subs not used:, Adam France, Carl Murray, Danny Markland None Owen 17' Hessey 41' Parker 58'

NK Rijeka Ivan Vargi, Dario Kneevi, Mehmed Alispahi (Ivan Krstanovi 50'), Ivan Tomeak, Marko Lekovi, Ivan Boras, Goodness Ohiremen Ajayi, Leon Benko (Antonini ulina 69'), Mate Male (Damir Zlomisli 59'), Josip Brezovec, Vedran Jugovi Subs not used: Ivan Mance (GK), Niko Datkovi, Goran Mujanovi, Nikola Pokriva Red Cards: None Yellow Cards: Brezovec 42' Attendance: 9500 Referee:

Red Cards: Yellow Cards: Kemp 84' Carlos Gmez (ESP)

Compiled by Mel Thomas at Soccerfile Wales mel@soccerfilewales.com Tel/Fax: 01766 830805 Distributed by e-mail only from WPL, 11 / 12 Neptune Court, Cardiff CF24 5PJ Contact: Lucy Kelly via lkelly@faw.co.uk or 02920 435 847